TEMPLEPiLOTS PA R A G L I D I N G

Beginner (P1)
Pilot Training Manual

Picture courtesy: Darren Waring (Club Pilot) Flying Site: Candidasa, Bali, Indonesia

Temple Pilots P1 Notes Revised and Updated Page 1

READ THIS FIRST
Paragliding is a form of aviation, with all of the inherent and potential dangers that
are involved in aviation. No form of aviation is without risk. Injuries and death can and
do occur in paragliding, even to trained pilots using proper equipment. No claim is
made or implied that all sources of potential danger to the pilot have or can be
identified. No one should participate in paragliding who does not recognize and wish
to personally assume the associated risks.

The training manual is intended to be used as one part of a professional and

instructional course. It is intended to be used in combination with personal flight
instructions by a qualified paragliding instructor. No one should attempt to teach
himself/herself to fly.

SYLLABUS FOR P1

LEVEL 1: Site & wind assessment,

equipment know-how, canopy layout,
pre flight checks, inflation, deflation
and ground handling.

LEVEL 2: Take off and landing

techniques, direction control (Hops),
Solo clearance.

LEVEL 3: Solo flights under supervision

Note:
You will graduate to the next level only after
you have acquired the necessary skill and
knowledge to the satisfaction of your
Instructor.

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 2

Welcome to the Skies

Visualization
Technique
The world of free flight
This journey is fun, fascinating and rewarding. Let's lay the groundwork Pro Tip: Use visualization.
so your skyward quest is made easier through understanding. Imagine what you want to do, and
The useful attributes are good judgment, a concern for personal safety,
then imagine your success. This
the ability to make reasonable decisions, a positive attitude and the will
will train your body's responses
or desire to fly.
more readily.

Skill development: We will always emphasize the gradual approach and VMR (Visual Motor
we strive to ensure safety through good judgment. Rehearsal)When you visualize,
then you materialize. Heres an
1. Site and wind assessment: You will begin your introductory interesting thing about the mind:
lesson on flat ground and gradually work your way higher as you Some Olympic athletes were made
progress. Your instructor will guide you in assessing wind to run their event only in their
conditions that are appropriate for your level and in understanding
mind, and were then hooked up to
your limitations.
sophisticated bio-feedback
equipment. Incredibly, the same
muscles fired in the same
2. Equipment introduction: Knowing the paragliding lingo let's you
understand and communicate the technique. sequence when they were running
the race in their mind, as when
In the beginning many of your decisions will be made for you by your they were running it on the track.
instructor, but gradually you will begin to take charge. If you already have How could this be ? Because the
goods decision making skills, fine. If not, they will be developed in the mind cant distinguish whether you
training program along with your judgment of flying skills. are really doing it or its just a
practice. If youve been there in
Over confidence is a deficit in aviation. the mind, youll go there in the
body. Whatever the mind can
conceive, it can achieve.
Fear is natural. If you have no fear whatsoever, it may create fear in
your Instructor. How we deal with fear is the important thing. Fear is Use the imaging technique
manageable. Discuss your fears with your instructor. throughout all your flying and it will
make you a better pilot.

Remember: Knowledge dispels fear

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 1

 LEVEL 1
Getting Started
Leading Edge Trailing Edge
Learn the basics well and be thorough in everything you do; this
is laying a solid foundation for becoming a safe & competent
pilot.

Unpacking, laying out and packing the canopy

Putting on the harness and helmet
Assessing the wind direction and clearing the area for
spreading your canopy
Canopy layout perpendicular to the wind,
Suspension
Lines
horse shoe shape, clearing the lines and connecting
the risers to your harness

Your Objective
Right steering of
control line

To learn how to prepare your glider and your position for forward
inflation (alpine launch).

Left steering of
control line
Pilot Pre-Flight Checks
Harness
After equipment inspection and having connected yourself to the
glider, just prior to launch:

The Checklist

Make sure you learn them by heart, from Day 1.

Start from below (leg straps) making your way up:
Safety Tip Leg straps locked & secure
Safety belt locked & secure
Finding and
Carabiners locked & secure
connecting an Risers not twisted
equipment problem Control (brake) lines clear, untangled, free
on the ground is Shoulder straps locked & secure

infinitely better Helmet strap locked & secure

than doing so in
Checks before launch:
the air. Canopy layout last look over the shoulder for alpine launch
Area in front & above clear for take off
Check wind-strength and direction

Launch

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 2

Preflight Requirements

Thoroughness (in detail), organized (systematic manner), uninterrupted

process and correcting the deficiencies. Take your time and make sure
you miss out nothing.
Develop habits for Safety from NOW.
Nothing is worth compromising safety!

Inflation (Alpine)

Make sure that canopy is laid out exactly perpendicular to the wind
direction and then pulled up from the center to give it a horseshoe shape
to ease inflation.
That you are standing in the center and square to the canopy
That you are not stepping on any lines
That you are holding the risers properly, correctly
Good arm position so that you apply equal & even pressure on both
the risers Caution: Never
A smooth and continuous run
unfasten your leg
Release the risers in timely fashion your instructor will demonstrate the
technique to you and you learn a lot by observing other students. straps once you
Look up to check the canopy are in your
harness until you
Note: For an even inflation you need an even wind and an even pull on
are ready to take
both sides.
off the harness.

Your Objective

To learn how to inflate consistently in various conditions while facing

forward.
In very light winds, take one step back to slacken the lines, this helps
you gain momentum for a forward launch.
In calm or light winds your run supplies the canopy
airspeed. Don't slow down or stop during inflation or
launch

Common Mistakes

Non centered start

Uneven jerks or improper hand position
Early or late released risers or pulling down of risers
Stopping the run when checking the canopy.

Skill Check

To see how well you can inflate the canopy. Keep a tally of how
many attempts are successes. When you are scoring 9 out of 10 you are
quite adept. Now work on the tenth one.

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 3

 Ground handling

Ground handing skill is the key to expert piloting skill

Ground handling indeed prepares you for your entire flying career. The
more adept you are at controlling your canopy on the ground, the better
you will be able to launch and the more sensitive you will be to the feel of
the glider in the air.

Your Objective

To learn how to control the glider on the ground in relation to the wind.

Note: Practice in both smooth and varying conditions. Practice turning

forward and backwards while maintaining the canopy stable.

Kiting Skills (Side-to-Side controls)

Pro Tip : To feel how your
canopy is heading, sense
the pressure in the
controls. The mark of a
good pilot is his or her ability to know
what the canopy is doing without
constantly looking at it. This is sensed
through the forces in the control lines
and the pull' of the harness on you
true seat of the pants flying.
This involves using the controls asymmetrically. The ability to perform
these controls correctly is extremely important for handling turbulence
and varying wind during launch. Also, you will be beginning to learn the
proper controls for turning.
Controlling the canopy on ground is actually more difficult than it is
in the air.
Pull the control on the side opposite to the direction in which the canopy
is pulling and move towards the canopy. Always maintaining the forward
momentum.
Remember

Steer left, step right

Steer right, step left
Stay below the canopy
- Level 1
Skill Check Always keep the glider loaded using your body weight and forward
t
d assessmen motion
Site and win
tion
py la yout, connec
Proper cano
Most accidents in paragliding happen on ground
and setup
(either on takeoff or landing). Thus the importance of
ecks
Pre flight ch
y
ground handling should be thoroughly realized. It is
tion run - consistenc
Forward infla your glider that will give you the confidence to enjoy
y control - flying.
Good canop ntrol
directional co
pendulum &

ation
Canopy Defl Summary
packing,
Understan ding canopy
re By now you should have a real feel for the canopy and how it obeys your
storage & ca
every command - even if your commands are incorrect! But never fear,
continued practice at inflation and ground handling will soon have you
making all controls automatically, timely and precisely.

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 4

How does a paraglider fly?
When inflated, the canopy of the paraglider creates an aerofoil
The canopy is inflated by air entering the open cells on the leading
edge, which are closed on the trailing edge

This is achieved at launch in two ways: Alpine/Forward Launch and

Reverse Launch
Because of the shape of an aerofoil, air that passes over the top has to
travel a greater distance than air which passes under. The air that passes over the
top of an aerofoil creates a lower pressure than that which passes underneath

The higher pressure air underneath wants to equalize the lower pressure on the top thus forcing the canopy up and
creating lift
The paraglider is designed to descend. It will go up only in lifting air; like in ascending air over a ridge or thermals.

Developing Lift Stalled wing

Airflow past a wing

Basic paraglider control movements

A paraglider is controlled by moving the control lines with your hands, independently or together, to alter the
profile of the wing above your head and thereby alter the amount of lift and drag created by different areas of
the wing

The glider responds by changing its airspeed or by turning.

Of the three axes of movement - pitch, roll and yaw - the pilot can normally only control pitch by moving
controls together, and yaw (i.e. left or right change of heading) by moving controls differentially. In a turn, roll
(banking to the left or right) develops automatically when the glider is turned.

Longitudinal Axis Lateral Axis Lateral Axis

Vertical Axis Vertical Axis Longitudinal Axis

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 5

 LEVEL 2
Take Off and
Landing (Hops)

Chord line People of all ages (from very young to very old)
Low angle and body types (form couch potatoes to body builders) have successfully
of attack
learned to fly paragliders.
Flight Direction

Early on paragliding is about 90% physical and 10% mental effort. Soon
Angle of attack is the
this changes to 10% physical and 90% mental.
angle between the
chord line of the wing
and the direction of Your Objective
flight through the air. To learn consistent, smooth take-off's including smooth transitions from
With brakes off, the ground to air and smooth landings on feet and into wind.
paraglider flies at a
relatively low angle of
Pre Launch Check
attack
Proper air conditions, proper glider setup and proper mental
preparations.

Chord line Launch

High angle
of attack
Remember to lean forward and crouch in your initial run. This posture
Flight Direction
helps pull against the backward pull of the glider, keeps your feet under
you. This also allows you to maintain contact with the ground longer.
Remember - Shorter steps initially and after the canopy is over head
When the brakes are (after release) longer strides to accelerate.
pulled down, the Do not slow down and do not sit.

trailing edge of the Keep running until your feet are no longer touching the terrain.
You're flying !
canopy is depressed,
which rotates the
chord line upward Your Objective
and raises the angle
To perform a smooth, straight flight without changes in airspeed from
of attack. As a result take off and landing, then learning careful, intentional speed control.
of the higher angle of attack, the canopy
Sitting Down Develop the habit from your first flight of remaining in
slows down. If the angle of attack is launch position (legs down) until you are well clear of the terrain.
raised too high, the airflow over the top Flight -Never lock your arms, but keep them loose and floating, maintain
of the canopy separates, the wing stalls an even pressure (3-5 kg's) depending on how slow you want to fly.
and the canopy collapses Never hold the risers or even touch them. Feel the amount of force on
the control lines and feel the wind on your face.
All control inputs should be smooth and gentle.

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 6

Common Launch mistakes and cures

Slowing down the run once the glider begins lifting. Avoid this
tendency by focusing on a point well ahead and visualize running to
that point.
Sitting down too soon. Resolve to run into the air and keep your
feet under you for an imminent landing.
Over-controlling. Make all controls slow and gradual. It's better to
under control than over control at this point

Landing During Hops

The most important rule about

landing is to always land into
wind. Flying into wind gives you
your slowest speed over the
ground, and this makes your
landing easier and safer.
You will need a greater and quicker
application of brakes in zero or
light winds, and less if there is
more wind.
Once you have your height
judgement fully developed, the
ideal landing flare is a smooth
application from 0% brakes (or
whatever your initial brake setting
is) to 100 % brakes over a period
of about 2 seconds, beginning
when your feet are about 5 to 8
feet off the ground.
Skill Chec
k - Level 2
Unassisted
inflation &
STRONG WINDS (pendulum run
& direction
control)
Remember that in strong winds, the canopy will want to inflate harder and Smooth tra
nsition from
ground to
faster, and may inflate unexpectedly. Pay attention all the time, keep a air
Direction c
ontrol in th
firm grasp on the C risers and use them to keep the canopy on the e air
ground until you are ready to perform the inflation. Ability to ju
dge and m
into wind fo aintain hea
r landing ding

Controlled
touchdown
Strong Wind Emergency Procedure Into the win on feet
d
The single line save your life (and dignity) maneuver: Canopy de
flation & im
mobilizatio
In strong winds, when handling the canopy on the ground, you may get n
into a situation where controls of the canopy have gotten away from you,
you have been or are about to be dragged off your feet, and are trying to
avoid being dragged across the ground. In this case, grab one line
(whatever you can get yours hands on) and reel it in hand over hand as
you run towards the canopy until you have canopy cloth in your hand. In
this mode, the canopy cannot inflate and drag you.

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 7


Flying the paraglider at trim speed. Raising
the control handles from this position
increases airspeed
Lowering the controls handles decreases
airspeed
Beginner Pilot Training Manual
LEVEL 3
Preparing For Your
First Solo
Pre - Take Off
Know where you are going to land. Check the wind strength and
direction at take off for consistency over ten minutes, before and
then during setting up the glider.
Take Off - Remember the sequence :
Inflation, Control, Speed
Inflation: Once the canopy is inflated in the overhead position, some
brakes should have been applied to stop the canopy from over-flying
you.
Control: If something does not feel right, or the canopy is out of
control ABORT, before it is too late (be decisive)
Speed: Airspeed means safety, therefore, you should create a sufficient
margin of airspeed before you leave the ground. Provided you have
reached sufficient airspeed, the glider will begin to lift you. A touch of
brakes at this stage will take you off your feet.
DO NOT JUMP. Shuffle back into your
harness without pulling on or letting
go of the brakes.
IN THE AIR : Congratulations you are flying !!
Follow your flight plan. For the time being, all you need to
worry about is speed to fly, steering (direction control),
and landing
Page 8
Steering

All steering inputs should be smooth and gradual

To turn left / right, gently pull on the left / right brake and ease up
gently on the right / left brake, leaning into the turn.
Clear your turns and turn in time to make good your landing area.
Do not delay your turns.
Initiating a left turn Initiating a right turn

Landing

Only takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory !

Keeping an eye on the wind sock and landing field, align yourself on
your landing approach.
If you need to lose some height, do so by making S turns, but not
too tight.
Once you are on landing approach (30 feet. approx.) you should not
be turning and should not be flying with much brake fast is safe.
On final approach (10-15 feet) apply some brakes to slow down
your descent rate and forward speed. Make sure you're heading into
the wind.
At this time your legs should be out and you should be sitting
forward on the edge of your seat.
Now depending on your descent rate and forward speed (between
5-8 feet) Pull both brakes smoothly (flare) to arrest your descent
Pulling down hard on the control handles
rate and forward motion to make a soft touch down.
to flare the glider for landing

Remember to always land on your feet and

into wind.

A perfectly timed flare will result in practically

Skill Chec
no forward motion and no significant drop but k - Level 3
a smooth and soft landing. Consistenc
y in unassis
committed ted and
launch
Ability to m
ake correc
ti
ons on t/o
The Key : run
Ability to b
e decisive
and abort
Stay relaxed and follow instructions necessary when

Ability to fl
y straight,
align into w make turns
Common mistakes ind for land &
ing
Ability to ti
Not landing into wind: Will cause side travel and higher landing me flare fo
on feet into r smooth la
speeds. wind nding

Early Flare: You will drop whatever remaining distance you are Proper flig
ht planning
from the ground because your glider is no longer flying, so don't of flying so and confid
lo ent
flare too high.
Late Flare: Will result in higher descent rate and higher landing Proper post
flight proce
dures
speeds.

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 9

All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced
in any manner without the consent of the
author.

Originally introduced in 2001

Revised and updated over the years
Recent edition 2007

Author: Amarjit Malik (Avi)

Chief Flying Instructor,
Temple Pilots

This training manual will be

retained by the school.
Please try and maintain it in good
condition for usage by future student
pilots

TeMple Pilots
Associate Member,
Indian Parachuting Foundation

Cell: 9823384654
fly@templepilots.com
www.templepilots.com

Beginner Pilot Training Manual Page 10